Making a garden is fun, but even more satisfying is deciding on a whole site master plan using permaculture principles of organic garden design for an environmentally sus
Principles of organics and permaculture will guide and inform to setting up of a new garden. Permaculture principles can be applied to a large farm or to any suburban house block.
Before getting overly gung-ho and thrusting the spade into the soil at what seems like a good spot, take some time to observe your property and take notes. The gardener will need to consider all the salient points of his garden Analyse the structures, fences, paths, gates and those old, weary gardens.
It is easy to become blinkered to creative possibilities by what someone else has already put in place.
The next thing is to plan. Thoughtful design is the leading principle behind a successful organic garden. To do this you will need a site plan. A plan is drawn to scale on squared paper (graph paper) with, if possible, some plastic overlays so that the site aspect noted below can be added.
The next thing is to analyse the site according to set criteria:
- summer sun
- winter suni>prevailing wi
- /li>
- slopeli>fixed structuresli>soili>water source
- ndash; sights to
- en
The solar access or sun angles are going to be very important for deciding where trees might go and where the beds themselves are to be placed to avoid, if necessary, the full blast of hot drying summer sun and to make the most of the winter sun.
Add existing structures to the plan as well as access ways; consider future possibilities. Is vehicular access a necessity? This will make a framework for your design.
Wind can cause problems in the garden as well as making life less pleasant. Perhaps a windbreak can be planted. Once you decide to plant a windbreak – or make provision for it on your plan you will see limitations and boundaries that require consideration.
The next step is to engage the permaculture ideas of zones. Closest to the backdoor will be the zone visited most often. Here, in zone 1, one will most probably find an outdoor living area, and the vegetable, herb and flower gardens. Farther out will be the shrubs and soft fruit and possibly a poultry run.
Finally towards the boundaries are the storage areas, windbreaks, compost bins and larger trees.
A poultry run will illustrate the principle of multiple functions. A well designed run will have hens supplying eggs but also eating up fallen fruit and grubs – from soft fruit trees planted in the runs as well as weeding and fertilising those runs for you. The fence of the run could be used as a support for vines.
Consider having a small pond. They are easily made with plastic sheeting making a watertight barrier. The pond will encourage frogs and other small animals that will attack insects, snails and slubs.
At long last you can see the obvious place for the actual garden beds. Having observed, noted and planned you will have found the perfect position. Perhaps you will be able to make four separate beds. Four is a useful number as it will encourage you to rotate the crops.
Plants and soil benefit from rotation. Some plants gain extra nutrients from following certain others, for example carrots following cabbage or most plants following a legume. Rotation also reduces the likelihood of disease build up.
Your beds could be raised or no-dig gardens or could follow a more traditional regime:
· hoe the weeds in
· add a soil conditioner if needed
o bentonite
o dolomite
· add an organic fertiliser such as blood and bone
· Sprinkle an approved mineral fertiliser mix.
· dig it in
· add a drip water system
· add compost or hay and fertiliser
You have your garden set out. Put paths of wood chips around and between them to discourage snails.
Dripper lines laid down prior to planting as part of the permanent bed development will be worth the effort. Overhead sprinklers are wasteful and often lead to fungal problems. With drippers just the amount of water is used just where it will do most good.
Get some seedlings, push aside the hay mulch dig a small hole and plant. Water in immediately and give them a quick little feed to get them away. Good luck.
